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Moringa oleifera: A Review of the Medical Evidence for Its Nutritional, Therapeutic, and Prophylactic Properties

Moringa oleifera, or the horseradish
tree, is a pan-tropical species that is known by such regional names as
benzolive, drumstick tree, kelor, marango, mlonge, mulangay, nébéday, saijhan,
and sajna. Over the past two decades, many reports have appeared in mainstream
scientific journals describing its nutritional and medicinal properties. Its
utility as a non-food product has also been extensively described, but will not
be discussed herein, (e.g. lumber, charcoal, fencing, water clarification, lubricating
oil). As with many reports of the nutritional or medicinal value of a natural
product, there are an alarming number of purveyors of “healthful” food who are
now promoting M. oleifera as a panacea. While much of this recent
enthusiasm indeed appears to be justified, it is critical to separate rigorous
scientific evidence from anecdote. Those who charge a premium for products
containing Moringa spp. must be held to a high standard. Those who
promote the cultivation and use of Moringa spp. in regions where hope is
in short supply must be provided with the best available evidence, so as not to
raise false hopes and to encourage the most fruitful use of scarce research
capital. It is the purpose of this series of brief reviews to: (a) critically evaluate
the published scientific evidence on M. oleifera, (b) highlight claims
from the traditional and tribal medicinal lore and from non-peer reviewed
sources that would benefit from further, rigorous scientific evaluation, and
(c) suggest directions for future clinical research that could be carried out
by local investigators in developing regions.

This is the first of four planned papers on
the nutritional, therapeutic, and prophylactic properties of Moringa oleifera.
In this introductory paper, the scientific evidence for health effects are
summarized in tabular format, and the strength of evidence is discussed in very
general terms. A second paper will address a select few uses of Moringa in
greater detail than they can be dealt with in the context of this paper. A
third paper will probe the phytochemical components of Moringa in more
depth. A fourth paper will lay out a number of suggested research projects
that can be initiated at a very small scale and with very limited resources, in
geographic regions which are suitable for Moringa cultivation and
utilization. In advance of this fourth paper in the series, the author
solicits suggestions and will gladly acknowledge contributions that are
incorporated into the final manuscript. It is the intent and hope of the
journal’s editors that such a network of small-scale, locally executed
investigations might be successfully woven into a greater fabric which will
have enhanced scientific power over similar small studies conducted and
reported in isolation. Such an approach will have the added benefit that
statistically sound planning, peer review, and multi-center coordination brings
to a scientific investigation.

The following paper is intended to be useful
for both scientific and lay audiences. Since various terms used herein are
likely not familiar to the lay reader, nor are many of the references readily
available to either scientific or lay audiences, we encourage active on-line
dialog between readers and both the author and the journal staff. Both will
attempt to answer questions and to direct readers to the experts in an open and
public manner.